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Protect your Business with these Active Directory Security Best Practices

Bineesh Mathew | January 10, 2022 | 583 views

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Every organization's information security teams safeguard AD because it is required for a variety of vulnerable functions such as network access, credentialing, and authentication. In addition, every time users, applications, IoT devices, and other critical network connections connect to an enterprise's systems, they require AD. Knowing this fact, hackers always target an active directory. Therefore, businesses must adhere to active directory best practises.

The 2018 healthcare.gov hack is one example of a severe AD breach. Using stolen credentials, attackers could access the database and expose over 75,000 files containing personal data (PII).

Another example is how hackers breached Virgin Mobile's office network in Saudi Arabia, gaining access to the company's email system and Active Directory domain controller, and selling stolen data on private dark web forums.

Semperis, a pioneer in identity-driven cyber resilience for businesses, conducted a survey on cyber disasters and found the following:

  • 84% of organizations consider that impact of an Active Directory attack can jeopardize businesses.
  • 97% of organizations believe that AD is mission-critical.

In this article, we will discuss a few critical Active Directory Security best practises that businesses should follow to strengthen their defences against cyberattacks and fraud.


Role of Active Directory Security in Cyber Attacks

An Active Directory security strategy that is proactive and dynamic but is not prioritized can have severe consequences. Active Directory is a significant target for cybersecurity hackers because it centralizes user access and authorization across all company levels. Once inside the system, cyberattackers have the ability to raise their privileges on a regular basis, granting them access to a wide range of network resources. One security breach in Active Directory can therefore put a company's entire digital infrastructure at risk, allowing hackers to steal sensitive data from all user accounts, databases and apps.


What are Best Practices for Active Directory Security?

Security experts have developed a set of best practices to combat the numerous flaws and exploits that can be used to gain access to Active Directory. Let us look into some of them.


Maintain an Inventory

You must know everything there is to know about an AD to keep it clean and secure. Therefore, you should document naming standards and critical security regulations in addition to every user, service account, machine, and access group.

A detailed, comprehensive inventory of your entire system is the most effective active directory security strategy for adhering to the highest standards of AD cybersecurity. Identifying and categorizing all of the computers, devices, users, domains, and name conventions for your organisational units should be among your top priorities.


Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

  • MFA blocks more than 99.9 percent of account compromise attacks.

According to Microsoft, “You can help prevent some of these attacks by banning the use of bad passwords, blocking legacy authentication, and training employees on phishing. However, one of the best things you can do is to just turn on MFA.”

Multi-factor authentication is another critical active directory best practise that organizations should follow. Hackers can easily access remote users' computers, often without their knowledge. Using multi-factor authentication (MFA), companies can protect remote devices effectively. Before granting access to an MFA solution, a user must pass two or more verifications successfully. This effectively blocks hackers from gaining access to active directories.

The current multi-factor authentication methods include push notification, one-time password, email/SMS code, two-factor token, and biometrics. The following data illustrates how organizations fare with multi-factor authentication.

  • Only 26% organizations use multi-factor authentication.
  • With 68% of use, mobile push notifications are the most common authentication method.


Establish a Strong Password Policy

Enforcing a strong password policy is another critical best practise for active directory security. AD should be able to force users to change their passwords on a regular basis.

Password policy can be used to improve network security by imposing stricter account lockout settings on privileged accounts. If users who have access to sensitive data and applications are locked out of their accounts, they will face a more involved authentication process.


Limit Access to a Privileged Group


"Practice the principle of least privilege. Do not log into a computer with administrator rights unless you must do so to perform specific tasks. Running your computer as an administrator (or as a Power User in Windows) leaves your computer vulnerable to security risks and exploits. Simply visiting an unfamiliar Internet site with these high-privilege accounts can cause extreme damage to your computer, such as reformatting your hard drive, deleting all your files, and creating a new user account with administrative access." 

- Indiana University (Best practices for computer security)

Employee levels define the level of access an employee requires to perform their job. Access to Active Directory should be restricted to employees who require it to perform their jobs properly. Complete access is provided to domain administrators and other privileged groups.

Limiting AD access to a privileged group is an excellent active directory security best practice to avoid frauds and safeguard your business.


Educate Your Employees

One of the main challenges of ensuring cybersecurity is that most employees are unaware of the vulnerabilities. Therefore, businesses must educate employees about the risks associated with gaining access to Active Directory and other official business accounts. As a result, cybersecurity is everyone's responsibility, not just the IT team.

Summing Up

Active Directory is the most vulnerable document in a company because it contains sensitive information that can put organisations at risk. Because of this, it is the responsibility of every employee to investigate and stay protected. Top IT management has to ensure everyone follows the cybersecurity policies within the company monitoring it regularly, especially the active directory best practices set within the company.


Frequently Asked Questions


Why is it essential to protect your Active Directory?

If a cyber-attacker gains access to your Active Directory, they will have access to your entire connected database, user accounts, all kinds of information, and applications. This could put your business at risk.


Can active directories be hacked?

Yes, active directories can be easily hacked. Recent cyberattacks have frequently targeted enterprises' active directories, which manage thousands of computers and user accounts.

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Article | November 22, 2022

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By monitoring data access, identifying unauthorized activities, and promptly detecting breaches or data exfiltration attempts, organizations can safeguard customer information and avoid legal complications. Moreover, cybersecurity detection protects a company's intellectual property, ensuring the integrity of trade secrets, proprietary algorithms, and other confidential information. By effectively identifying and preventing unauthorized access or theft attempts, businesses can maintain their competitive advantage. Compliance with industry regulations is an essential consideration for businesses. Cybersecurity detection helps companies demonstrate proactive measures in detecting security incidents and potential data breaches, ensuring adherence to data security and privacy requirements and avoiding penalties, legal liabilities, and reputational damage associated with non-compliance. Furthermore, effective cybersecurity detection enhances reputational trust. 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Article | July 13, 2023

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Software Supply Chain Attacks: How Can Code Signing Help?

Article | July 12, 2023

Software supply chain attacks, such as the recent one involving MOVEit Transfer, are a serious issue for modern enterprises. Their dependency on third-party software makes it difficult to successfully vet the security integrity of every product used by enterprises. Software is especially difficult to assess securely, as it can be modified through updates throughout its lifecycle. For threat actors, targeting popular enterprise software tools is a lucrative and time-efficient way to gain access to the systems of a large number of corporate users. Verifying the integrity of software, and using attestation services, is one way to minimize the threat surface. So how can these concepts be leveraged in software? Software integrity (also known as code integrity) refers to the quality of the source code and allows the determination of the safety, security, and reliability of the software. 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Code signing makes use of digital certificates; the signature is cryptographically hashed and packaged in a certificate. This certificate can then be verified by the user of the software through a Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), with a certificate authority validating (or refuting) the applied signature. There are various types of code signing certificates: standard and extended. The latter involves a more complex process and stricter requirements for validation and key management. Software attestation is essentially the other side of that process. It’s a trust mechanism that allows the user to independently validate the integrity asserted by a provider. Attestation might require not just the vendors name, version of the software, and origins of the code, but also other software artifacts, such as statements to the effect that they have followed secure development practices, information on external dependencies used to build it, the build process itself, the test suites that were run, and any security checks passed. Together, these artifacts form the metadata of the software, which then can be independently signed. A PKI can then be leveraged to verify the applied digital signature. There are software attestation standards that can be leveraged, including open ones (in-tot and Binary Authorization being two popular ones). The U.S. Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is working on a self-attestation form (Secure Software Development Attestation Common Form) for software producers serving the federal government. The form will require them to confirm implementation of specific security practices. This was following the White House’s 2021 Executive Order 14028 and the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) M-22-18, “Enhancing the Security of the Software Supply Chain through Secure Software Development Practices.” Digital signatures for code integrity and software attestation will increasingly be in demand, especially as governments on both sides of the Atlantic (in the European Union and the United States) are pushing for policy and regulation on mandatory Software Bills of Materials (SBOMs). The goal is to make software developers and device manufacturers accountable for the components that make up their products. An SBOM will have to list known vulnerabilities associated with each component (open source and third party), pushing security rights to the forefront of product development. This visibility will allow for product development teams, DevOps, and implementers to address vulnerabilities and thereby strengthen security. SBOMs will likely form part of the software’s metadata, so signing will have a role to play here. In short, code signing and software attestation can both confer a level of security that can minimize the threat of a supply chain attack. It’s important to keep in mind, however, that they won’t address all issues, and will not be 100% fool-proof either. Of course, threat actors know this, and many are already targeting the code signing process in order to inject malicious code. This requires threat actors to compromise development platforms where code signing takes place. Ultimately, the use of digital signatures, from creation to management, is another aspect that will need to be secured from a developer perspective. DevSecOps will also have an important role to play here in order to avoid such malicious tactics, thereby providing a holistic security context for using digital signatures. 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Top 5 Tactics for Improving Cloud Security Hygiene for Businesses

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By monitoring data access, identifying unauthorized activities, and promptly detecting breaches or data exfiltration attempts, organizations can safeguard customer information and avoid legal complications. Moreover, cybersecurity detection protects a company's intellectual property, ensuring the integrity of trade secrets, proprietary algorithms, and other confidential information. By effectively identifying and preventing unauthorized access or theft attempts, businesses can maintain their competitive advantage. Compliance with industry regulations is an essential consideration for businesses. Cybersecurity detection helps companies demonstrate proactive measures in detecting security incidents and potential data breaches, ensuring adherence to data security and privacy requirements and avoiding penalties, legal liabilities, and reputational damage associated with non-compliance. Furthermore, effective cybersecurity detection enhances reputational trust. Businesses that invest in robust detection measures are committed to safeguarding sensitive information, thus fostering trust among customers, partners, and stakeholders. Guard Against Cyber Threats with onShore Security’s Panoptic Cyberdefense Panoptic Cyberdefense by onShore Security is a Managed Cybersecurity Detection solution that recognizes security as an ongoing process, not just a mere product. For effective cybersecurity operations, round-the-clock monitoring is required using Security Operations Center (SOC) offered by onShore’s cyberdefence solution. To maximize visibility, businesses need to immediately respond to security threats while also requiring to identify non-threatening data. Leveraging Panoptic Cyberdefense helps streamline identifying, monitoring, and detecting cyber threats. During a conversation with Media 7, Stel Valavanis, CEO, onShore Security highlighted the impact of cyber threats and talked about cybersecurity detection solutions. We have developed our detection platform, the Panoptic Sensor and the Panoptic SIEM over many battle-hardened years. And the process is well-oiled, as you can imagine, involving tiers and workflow communication for alerting, analysis, tuning, and threat-hunting. As cyber threats evolve in complexity and frequency, businesses must remain vigilant in safeguarding their digital assets. onShore Security's Panoptic Cyberdefense offers a comprehensive suite of solutions, including Panoptic Sensor and the Panoptic SIEM, to help organizations mitigate risk, protect sensitive data, elevate their security team, and meet compliance requirements. Through Panoptic Sensor, organizations gain proactive threat intelligence, enabling the early detection and prevention of potential security breaches. Complementing this, the Panoptic SIEM provides powerful analytics and monitoring capabilities, empowering businesses to swiftly identify, investigate, and respond to security incidents. 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Collaborating with government and industry partners can further demonstrate a commitment to high-security standards and compliance requirements. Remaining prepared for potential attacks is crucial. In the event of an incident, prompt response becomes paramount. Equipped with comprehensive data providing attestation of methods and impact, organizations can swiftly and effectively address any cybersecurity breaches.

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Urgent Redefinition of Data Loss Prevention to Address Increasing Global Data Threats

Article | July 13, 2023

Embrace the transformative power of identity-based authentication to establish new industry standards for safe and seamless user onboarding processes, enhancing security, workflows & user experience. The increasing adoption of decentralized identity systems, including blockchain-based solutions, introduces intricate challenges in the verification and authorization of identities across distributed networks. During interoperability, the threat to privacy and security within these systems is emerging at an alarming rate that requires urgent attention. Additionally, combating synthetic identity fraud poses a significant hurdle as fraudsters adeptly combine genuine and false information, making it arduous to differentiate between authentic and fraudulent identities. Deepfakes are the rising concern, which generate remarkably realistic audio, video, or images, mimicking genuine individuals and heightening the difficulty of detecting and preventing impersonation attacks. Password fatigue stems from the constant need to create and remember multiple passwords, leading users to choose weak or reused ones. Reusing passwords increases the risk, as compromising one account grants access to others. Password theft is a concern, with attackers employing phishing attacks and malware. A study by Google found that passwordless authentication can reduce password-related help desk tickets by up to 60%. (Source: PYMNTS) Complex password requirements can be challenging, pushing users towards weaker options. Password resets are time-consuming and frustrating. Solutions should alleviate fatigue, promote secure practices, and offer robust protection against theft and unauthorized access. All service providers or product companies confront a common challenge in this novel era of vulnerabilities, the question of creating an optimal and seamless user onboarding cycle while adhering to the necessary standards. This keeps them up at night as they attempt to find the optimal balance between seamless and secured-data onboarding. In this digital age, identity-secure data is the most valuable asset and a transformative resource. Organizations with data stored in cloud storage and password-based authentication systems are vulnerable to cybercrime. These are susceptible to numerous security threats, including phishing, social engineering, and brute-force attacks. These hazards may result in security breaches and sensitive data loss. Additionally, password management becomes burdensome for users, resulting in password fatigue, weak practices, and IT department involvement for password resets. This impacts user experience and productivity. Identity-Based Authentication (IBA) comes into action while implementing this secure identity verification. To ensure widespread adoption of IBA, the industry must standardize two crucial aspects of identity: ‘Identification Verification’ and ‘Passwordless Authentication’. Automating identity verification fundamentally transforms the onboarding work processes by shifting administrative burden to user endpoints and automating data capture, credential validation, and document workflow. This leads to increased user satisfaction and faster access to required services, driving efficiency and reducing the time to generate revenue for customers. BlockID Verify by 1Kosmos prevents such fraudulent accounts through an identity proofing process that verifies identity anywhere, anytime, and on any device with over 99% accuracy, thereby preventing the use of stolen or synthetic identities during customer onboarding. During a conversation with Media 7, Michael Cichon, CMO, 1Kosmos stressed on the implementation of identity proofing and authorization. At 1Kosmos we bring our solutions to the market through three distinct products. One product focuses on workforce authentication, another caters to business-to-consumer use cases, and the third product revolves around self-service identity proofing. These give organizations the ability to remotely verify an identity on the web with a high level of assurance, and then verify that identity at every access attempt. Onboarding users with security and data protection is a critical activity. It is a one-time action that must be combined with an authentication mechanism for long-term identity to be genuinely effective. Organizations with data stored in cloud storage and password-based authentication systems are vulnerable to cybercrime. While these are susceptible to numerous security threats, including phishing, social engineering, and brute-force attacks, these hazards can result in security breaches and sensitive data loss. A recent report by Verizon demonstrated that 61% of all data breaches are caused by compromised credentials. (Source: 1Kosmos) The catch that robust identity verification alone does not guarantee future authentication, calls for FIDO (Fast Identity Online). It is backed by an industry-leading organization 1Kosmos, which provides solutions for Identity Based Authentication. FIDO uses cryptography in the form of a public and private key to authenticate a user. With FIDO2 authentication, employees can authenticate into corporate systems and applications using their personal devices. This eliminates the need for conventional passwords and reduces the likelihood of security vulnerabilities resulting due to password-related attacks. With FIDO2, the user's keys are stored on their devices and not the service provider's server and thus proves to be less vulnerable to identity theft and phishing attempts. This is where the password to cryptographic passkeys adoption comes into picture. BlockID Workforce by 1Kosmos implements password-less authentication using FIDO, and has thus become a necessity, adopting self-service identity verification serving as a credential service provider. The ‘Identity Proofing’ together with ‘Passwordless Authentication’ results in a seamless user experience addressing credential theft, eliminating unauthorized users logging in corporate IT network and thus preventing data breaches, financial fraud, and ransomware.

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Enterprise Security

Staying a Step Ahead of Ransomware

Article | November 16, 2021

Discover the significance of data protection in today's vulnerable world. Gain insights into the far-reaching impacts of data loss and the importance of proactive data security practices for businesses. Understanding Data Protection’s Significance in an Ever-Vulnerable World In today's highly competitive business landscape, organizations must recognize the immense value of their data resources and prioritize implementing robust data protection measures. Safeguarding data from external threats and internal vulnerabilities is paramount to ensuring businesses' smooth and secure operations. In an era of increasingly complex IT environments, data protection becomes an increasingly challenging endeavor, necessitating organizations to maintain a vigilant stance in safeguarding their critical information. According to Ponemon Institute statistics, 77% of companies are woefully ill-prepared and planned when it comes to thwarting an attack or a data breach. Protecting sensitive data, such as intellectual property, personally identifiable information, and financial records, poses a significant challenge for organizations. The modern workplace, characterized by extensive data collaboration across networks, devices, and applications, further amplifies the risk of data security incidents. Furthermore, limited resources often hinder organizations from keeping pace with the ever-growing array of data security risks. However, as data volumes continue to expand, the escalating concerns surrounding data protection highlight the severe consequences organizations face in terms of financial loss, reputational damage, and legal repercussions resulting from data breaches. To mitigate these risks, they must adopt a proactive approach to data protection. This encompasses the implementation of robust security protocols, using encryption technologies, conducting regular security audits, and providing ongoing employee training on data security best practices. This proactive approach enables businesses to operate with greater confidence, trust, and resilience. It is important to note that organizations must view data protection as an essential aspect of their overall business strategy and continually adapt and improve their data security practices. Only by protecting their data can organizations maintain a competitive edge, preserve customer trust, and uphold their reputation as reliable and secure entities in the marketplace. The Far-Reaching Impacts of Data Loss Data protection is a critical concern that applies to organizations of all sizes, and falling into the trap of thinking it only affects large enterprises can have devastating consequences. In fact, small businesses are often targeted by data theft attempts, as they may have fewer resources and can be more susceptible to attacks. Failing to keep up with data security measures and strategies results in severe repercussions for businesses. It damages their reputation, increase operational downtime, leave sensitive data unprotected, and even attract legal action. With organizations increasingly relying on cloud and online transactions, cyber threats now pose a significant risk to data integrity. Data breaches can lead to the theft of valuable information, which can be sold to other parties or used for fraudulent activities. The financial impact of these breaches and losses is substantial. When a company fails to protect its sensitive information and allows data breaches to occur, it not only incurs financial losses but also experiences a significant blow to its reputation. Dissatisfied customers may take their business elsewhere, resulting in decreased revenue. Communicating a data loss incident to customers, while essential, can also erode trust and lead to discontentment. This can further drive customer churn and harm the business's overall reputation, especially if customer data is compromised. Rebuilding customer relationships in the aftermath of a data loss incident requires significant time and resources, as the consequences can persist for years. Data Loss Prevention: An Essential Ingredient Data loss prevention (DLP) is an integral part of a comprehensive data protection strategy, aiming to prevent unauthorized access, use, or disclosure of sensitive data. A well-implemented DLP system can help organizations proactively safeguard their data, mitigate risks, and avoid the aftermath of data loss incidents. As Alexey Raevsky, CEO, Zecurion rightly stated in an interview with Media7, If any organization has a mature DLP in place, there is no need of combating the aftermath of data loss. A robust DLP system comprises advanced security protocols, encryption technologies, and continuous monitoring mechanisms. These components work together to identify vulnerabilities, prevent data breaches, and address potential threats. The other key advantage of an effective DLP system is establishing and enforcing stringent access controls. This ensures that only authorized individuals can access and manipulate sensitive data, reducing the risk of data breaches caused by internal or external factors. Encryption technologies employed by DLP systems further enhance data protection by securing data at rest and in transit, making it challenging for malicious actors to compromise sensitive information. Navigating Data Protection World with Enterprise DLP ‘Zecurion’ An enterprise DLP system offers a comprehensive solution designed to address organizations' complex data landscapes and security challenges. It provides centralized control and visibility over data across multiple systems, networks, and endpoints within the enterprise. Organizations can effectively manage and protect data throughout its lifecycle, regardless of location or format, by implementing a unified DLP framework. This is where Zecurion becomes essential. It is a next-gen DLP provider that specializes in researching, investigating, and monitoring activities to prevent data loss incidents. Its DLP solution offers various features to enhance data protection and incident response: User Behavior Analytics (UBA) with fast risk-based assessment: This feature provides visibility into employee activities and evaluates them based on parameters such as risk, productivity, policies, and emotional state. The Security Officer can closely monitor high-risk employees while allowing low-risk ones to operate with fewer limitations. Screen Photo Detector: This feature detects attempts to photograph a screen using a smartphone by utilizing webcams. It employs two neural networks to ensure reliable smartphone detection and quickly identifies cybersecurity incidents in a fraction of a second. Investigation Workflow Automation: This module simplifies investigations and streamlines the incident response cycle. It provides a comprehensive view of ongoing tasks, including their statuses, relevant data, assigned personnel, and deadlines. Cybersecurity team members can collaborate, leave comments, discuss progress, and attach supporting documents and incidents for efficient and effective incident resolution. Stand Out from Completion with the Next-Gen DLP Zecurion stands out from its competitors due to its ease of implementation and successful use cases demonstrating its instrumental value. One notable example is its pivotal role in a recent forensic investigation conducted for an oil refinery. The investigation uncovered fraudulent activities by intermediaries selling the refinery's products at inflated prices. Zecurion's DLP solution played a critical role in identifying the involvement of a group of managers, including a C-level executive, who had gone to the extent of forging documents to conceal their actions. A financial and legal audit conducted with the help of Zecurion revealed that the fraudsters' actions had resulted in a loss of over $25 million for the organization. The DLP solution proved invaluable in enabling the refinery to take legal action against the perpetrators and terminate the employment of the three key individuals involved in the scam. The success of Zecurion's DLP solution in this particular use case further establishes its reputation as a trusted and effective solution for safeguarding organizations against data loss and fraudulent behavior. Privacy and Protection: Balance is Crucial It is important to note that while organizations must prioritize data security, balancing security measures and respecting employee privacy and autonomy is equally important. While a robust data security framework is essential and ensures that sensitive information is adequately protected, employees must feel that their personal information is handled with care and that their privacy is respected. This can be achieved through clear and transparent data usage policies, consent-based data collection practices, and strict adherence to data protection regulations. Organizations can create a culture of trust and accountability by establishing these guidelines and practices, instilling confidence among employees that their privacy is valued and protected. Additionally, organizations can foster a culture of data security awareness and education among employees. Regular training and updates on data security best practices can turn employees into proactive participants in maintaining a secure work environment. This not only enhances data security but also cultivates a sense of shared responsibility and accountability among employees. When employees feel that their privacy is respected and they are given the autonomy to perform their duties effectively, they are more likely to adhere to data security protocols and actively contribute to the organization's overall security posture.

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Network Threat Detection

Software Supply Chain Attacks: How Can Code Signing Help?

Article | July 12, 2023

Software supply chain attacks, such as the recent one involving MOVEit Transfer, are a serious issue for modern enterprises. Their dependency on third-party software makes it difficult to successfully vet the security integrity of every product used by enterprises. Software is especially difficult to assess securely, as it can be modified through updates throughout its lifecycle. For threat actors, targeting popular enterprise software tools is a lucrative and time-efficient way to gain access to the systems of a large number of corporate users. Verifying the integrity of software, and using attestation services, is one way to minimize the threat surface. So how can these concepts be leveraged in software? Software integrity (also known as code integrity) refers to the quality of the source code and allows the determination of the safety, security, and reliability of the software. It can mean that the code is unaltered by unauthorized parties, or it can also provide protection against hacks and guarantee privacy. Integrity checking can be relatively complex, but includes, at a minimum (from a security perspective), security features and ensures that security vulnerabilities have been eliminated. It does what it should, can be tested, and is easy to understand and edit, without introducing new errors or flaws. There are code analysis tools that can enable this. Beyond that, the code can be signed through the application of a digital signature to seal that integrity check. This can happen several times during the lifetime of that software: at production, for upgrades and patching, etc. This provides assurance that the software came from the developer and that it has not been changed in an unauthorized manner. This proof of authenticity becomes important in supply chain scenarios, and can be an important tool for brand protection of the developers. Code signing makes use of digital certificates; the signature is cryptographically hashed and packaged in a certificate. This certificate can then be verified by the user of the software through a Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), with a certificate authority validating (or refuting) the applied signature. There are various types of code signing certificates: standard and extended. The latter involves a more complex process and stricter requirements for validation and key management. Software attestation is essentially the other side of that process. It’s a trust mechanism that allows the user to independently validate the integrity asserted by a provider. Attestation might require not just the vendors name, version of the software, and origins of the code, but also other software artifacts, such as statements to the effect that they have followed secure development practices, information on external dependencies used to build it, the build process itself, the test suites that were run, and any security checks passed. Together, these artifacts form the metadata of the software, which then can be independently signed. A PKI can then be leveraged to verify the applied digital signature. There are software attestation standards that can be leveraged, including open ones (in-tot and Binary Authorization being two popular ones). The U.S. Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is working on a self-attestation form (Secure Software Development Attestation Common Form) for software producers serving the federal government. The form will require them to confirm implementation of specific security practices. This was following the White House’s 2021 Executive Order 14028 and the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) M-22-18, “Enhancing the Security of the Software Supply Chain through Secure Software Development Practices.” Digital signatures for code integrity and software attestation will increasingly be in demand, especially as governments on both sides of the Atlantic (in the European Union and the United States) are pushing for policy and regulation on mandatory Software Bills of Materials (SBOMs). The goal is to make software developers and device manufacturers accountable for the components that make up their products. An SBOM will have to list known vulnerabilities associated with each component (open source and third party), pushing security rights to the forefront of product development. This visibility will allow for product development teams, DevOps, and implementers to address vulnerabilities and thereby strengthen security. SBOMs will likely form part of the software’s metadata, so signing will have a role to play here. In short, code signing and software attestation can both confer a level of security that can minimize the threat of a supply chain attack. It’s important to keep in mind, however, that they won’t address all issues, and will not be 100% fool-proof either. Of course, threat actors know this, and many are already targeting the code signing process in order to inject malicious code. This requires threat actors to compromise development platforms where code signing takes place. Ultimately, the use of digital signatures, from creation to management, is another aspect that will need to be secured from a developer perspective. DevSecOps will also have an important role to play here in order to avoid such malicious tactics, thereby providing a holistic security context for using digital signatures. But there is no doubt that digital signatures are a key technology for code integrity and software attestation, and will have a positive impact on thwarting the progress of supply chain attacks, if used widely. Sources: CISA WH EO 14028 OMB

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Moka5

Fundamentally Transforming Enterprise End-user Computing. Based on research conducted by Stanford University, Moka5 (M5) fundamentally transforms enterprise end-user computing. M5 creates a highly-elastic enterprise perimeter where user data and applications are delivered as simply-managed and highly-secure workspaces to popular end-user devices.

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Enterprise Security

Honeywell Uses Quantum Computing Encryption to Protect Utility Data

Honeywell | September 11, 2023

Honeywell has announced that it's the first company to incorporate quantum-computing-hardened encryption keys into smart utility meters, protecting end-user data from advanced cybersecurity threats. Quantinuum's Quantum Origin provides an advantage over conventional solutions by generating keys with quantum-computing-enhanced randomness. Honeywell's new Smart Energy and Thermal Solution products powered with Quantum Origin are now available to North American and European customers. Honeywell recently made a groundbreaking announcement that it is the first company to incorporate quantum-computing-hardened encryption keys into smart utility meters, a move that provides advanced protection for end-user data against cyber threats. To achieve this, Honeywell will leverage Quantinuum's Quantum Origin technology to not only enhance data security but also contribute to building greater reliability and trust in the evolving utility sector. The enhanced security utility meters establish a new standard for safeguarding against data breaches and ensuring the uninterrupted operation of water, gas, and electricity utility infrastructure for both commercial and residential applications. Quantinuum's Quantum Origin provides an advantage over conventional solutions by generating keys with quantum-computing-enhanced randomness, thereby rendering them truly unpredictable and substantially enhancing the data security of utilities' end users. No other organizations in the smart meter market presently offer quantum-hardened encryption protection. The incorporation of this technology into Honeywell's Smart Energy and Thermal Solutions' products will assist in addressing the industry's expanding data security requirements, especially as they pertain to critical infrastructure. President of Smart Energy and Thermal Solutions at Honeywell, Hamed Heyhat, said, By integrating Quantinuum's quantum-computing-hardened encryption technology into our smart meters, we are advancing data security for our customers and helping to shape the dialogue on how the utility industries should approach cybersecurity in the quantum era. [Source – Cision PR Newswire] Hamed Heyhat emphasized the significance of continuous innovation in enabling customers to stay ahead of the ever-changing threat landscape. It was noted that such a level of protection is crucial in our progressively digital and interconnected world. Tony Uttley, President and COO of Quantinuum, mentioned, Our work with Honeywell demonstrates the importance of using the power of today's quantum computers to create a more resilient cyber infrastructure to better protect customers. [Source – Cision PR Newswire] Smart Energy and Thermal Solution products from Honeywell with Quantum Origin are now available to North American and European customers. The collaboration will strengthen Honeywell's position as an industry-leading provider of innovative and secure solutions for the utilities industry.

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Software Security

Cyolo Unveils Key Insights into OT Cybersecurity Threat Landscape from KuppingerCole and Releases Cyolo 4.3 for Enhanced Security

Business Wire | September 27, 2023

Today, Cyolo, provider of the fastest and most secure zero-trust access and connectivity solution for hybrid organizations with IT and OT, in partnership with KuppingerCole, released an industry analysis focused on zero trust and remote access for operational technology (OT) environments. The analysis reveals key insights about the OT cybersecurity threat landscape, outlines high-level security architecture for OT, critical infrastructure systems (CIS) and industrial control systems (ICS), and evaluates key requirements of security regulations and frameworks. OT environments experience the same kinds of threats as enterprise IT – including ransomware, account takeovers, APTs, and Supply Chains as vectors – while experiencing expanded OT-specific threats. While traditional IT security tools may be adapted, developing robust security architectures for OT environments is inherently complex compared to their IT counterparts. Its unique nature, from equipment and software to communication protocols requires dedicated OT security solutions. Cyolo can help organizations with OT infrastructure to define and manage access control to those complex environments, said John Tolbert, Lead Analyst at KuppingerCole. Overall key insights include: OT Threat Landscape. Heightened geopolitical factors have intensified attacks on OT and ICS, posing significant consequences ranging from operational disruptions and service denial to financial repercussions and potential harm to human well-being. Core Cybersecurity Regulations. The risks and consequences of cyber-attacks against critical infrastructure advanced regulations globally mandating secure architectures and technical controls. KRITIS and the follow-on IT Security Act 2.0 are related examples of such regulations, as well as the NIST Cybersecurity Framework. OT Security Architectures and Key Functionalities. There are eight areas of functionality that are central to effective OT security architectures. Cybersecurity architectures for OT must address asset discovery, access control, IT security tool integration, detection and response capabilities, and OT protocol level threats. As the analysis breaks down, within critical infrastructure interruptions and downtime are not an option. To address the increasing need for secure access in OT environments, Cyolo introduced Cyolo 4.3, which expands key capabilities with more layers of security and making the product easier than ever to use for both administrators and end users in the industrial space. With Cyolo 4.3, industrial organizations will be able to extend their multi-factor authentication (MFA) across environments through an integration with Duo Security to support their physical tokens as required. Additionally, the company has implemented another layer of security for file transfer within the OT/ICS environment, through query anti-virus software to scan files before they are delivered to their destination. Cyolo is also adapting for further usability, allowing teams to securely invite external users by generating a secure one-time password; and import groups from existing IdPs, using SCIM. “Ensuring the security of critical infrastructure and industrial processes has become increasingly critical as organizations unite their IT and OT systems. This convergence has expanded the OT threat landscape and introduced significant cybersecurity challenges, as the once-isolated OT networks are now vulnerable to the same threats that have targeted IT networks for years” said Joe O'Donnell, Vice President ICS/OT of Cyolo. “With Cyolo 4.3, industrial entities can confidently navigate the complexities of the modern threat landscape and fortify their defenses against evolving cyber threats.” The announcement of Cyolo 4.3 highlights the company’s commitment to advancing zero-trust capabilities and it comes on the heels of Cyolo being listed as a Representative Vendor in the 2023 Gartner® “Market Guide for Zero Trust Network Access” report for the second consecutive year and recognized by Frost & Sullivan with the 2023 North American New Product Innovation Award for Secure Remote Access to Operational Infrastructure and Industrial Control Systems (OT/ICS). As the threats to critical infrastructure continue to evolve, Cyolo zero-trust access solution continues to provide the utmost protection and ease of use. To learn more about Cyolo 4.3, visit here. Access the report for a full view of the industry here. Register here to attend the joint webinar from Cyolo and KuppingerCole on how to achieve secure remote access for OT environments, to be held on Tuesday, October 10 at 7 a.m. PT. About Cyolo Cyolo helps hybrid organizations in the IT and OT spaces to stay safe, secure and productive in an era of distributed workforces and unprecedented cyberthreats. Cyolo’s next-generation zero-trust access solution enables all users, including employees, third parties as well as remote and on-site workers, to connect to their working environments seamlessly and securely via modern identity-based access. Providing one unified solution that integrates with the existing tech stack and deploys easily in the cloud, on-premises or in a hybrid model, Cyolo empowers the global workforce to securely access anything from anywhere.

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Enterprise Security

Skybox Security Launches New Continuous Exposure Management Platform

Skybox Security | September 14, 2023

Skybox Security, a leading Exposure Management solutions provider, has unveiled the next generation of its prestigious Continuous Exposure Management Platform. This 13.0 release introduces significant enhancements to its solution for Attack Surface and Vulnerability Management, which revolutionizes the manner businesses manage and mitigate cyber exposure risk. Attack Surface Management Delivers Complete Visibility Skybox's Surface Management solution provides an extensive inventory and map of users' assets and applications. It evaluates and simulates attack paths. The result is a dynamic security model for the hybrid attack surface. Version 13.0 introduces significant new features, including: New Attack Surface Map Enhanced Attack Path Analysis LDAP Integration Cloud Infrastructure Integration Vulnerability Management Deepens Exposure Insights Skybox's Vulnerability Management solution combines more than 25 third-party threat intelligence feeds with its own Skybox Threat Intelligence feed in order to prioritize threats based on exposure risk and remediate vulnerabilities with prescriptive guidance. With Version 13.0, businesses are able to: Import Vulnerability Data New Business-Focused' Solutions View' Celebrity Vulnerabilities SOAR Integration Mordecai Rosen, CEO of Skybox Security, said, In today's complex threat landscape, organizations need to continuously manage their threat exposure based on the prioritized risks to their business. [Source – Business Wire] Rosen stated that the Skybox platform now supports every stage of an enterprise's continuous exposure management (CEM) program, from mapping the attack surface through contextualization and risk-based prioritization to final remediation. It was also mentioned that the latest enhancements enable organizations to further improve their security posture and substantially reduce the risk of a successful attack. About Skybox Skybox is trusted by over 500 of the world's largest and most security-conscious enterprises for providing insights and assurance to stay ahead of dynamically changing attack surfaces. Its Exposure Management Platform provides complete analytics, visibility, and automation to quickly prioritize, map, and remediate vulnerabilities across organizations. The vendor-agnostic solution optimizes security policies, actions, and change processes across all cloud environments and corporate networks. With Skybox, security teams can emphasize the most strategic business initiatives while ensuring enterprises remain protected.

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Enterprise Security

Honeywell Uses Quantum Computing Encryption to Protect Utility Data

Honeywell | September 11, 2023

Honeywell has announced that it's the first company to incorporate quantum-computing-hardened encryption keys into smart utility meters, protecting end-user data from advanced cybersecurity threats. Quantinuum's Quantum Origin provides an advantage over conventional solutions by generating keys with quantum-computing-enhanced randomness. Honeywell's new Smart Energy and Thermal Solution products powered with Quantum Origin are now available to North American and European customers. Honeywell recently made a groundbreaking announcement that it is the first company to incorporate quantum-computing-hardened encryption keys into smart utility meters, a move that provides advanced protection for end-user data against cyber threats. To achieve this, Honeywell will leverage Quantinuum's Quantum Origin technology to not only enhance data security but also contribute to building greater reliability and trust in the evolving utility sector. The enhanced security utility meters establish a new standard for safeguarding against data breaches and ensuring the uninterrupted operation of water, gas, and electricity utility infrastructure for both commercial and residential applications. Quantinuum's Quantum Origin provides an advantage over conventional solutions by generating keys with quantum-computing-enhanced randomness, thereby rendering them truly unpredictable and substantially enhancing the data security of utilities' end users. No other organizations in the smart meter market presently offer quantum-hardened encryption protection. The incorporation of this technology into Honeywell's Smart Energy and Thermal Solutions' products will assist in addressing the industry's expanding data security requirements, especially as they pertain to critical infrastructure. President of Smart Energy and Thermal Solutions at Honeywell, Hamed Heyhat, said, By integrating Quantinuum's quantum-computing-hardened encryption technology into our smart meters, we are advancing data security for our customers and helping to shape the dialogue on how the utility industries should approach cybersecurity in the quantum era. [Source – Cision PR Newswire] Hamed Heyhat emphasized the significance of continuous innovation in enabling customers to stay ahead of the ever-changing threat landscape. It was noted that such a level of protection is crucial in our progressively digital and interconnected world. Tony Uttley, President and COO of Quantinuum, mentioned, Our work with Honeywell demonstrates the importance of using the power of today's quantum computers to create a more resilient cyber infrastructure to better protect customers. [Source – Cision PR Newswire] Smart Energy and Thermal Solution products from Honeywell with Quantum Origin are now available to North American and European customers. The collaboration will strengthen Honeywell's position as an industry-leading provider of innovative and secure solutions for the utilities industry.

Read More

Software Security

Cyolo Unveils Key Insights into OT Cybersecurity Threat Landscape from KuppingerCole and Releases Cyolo 4.3 for Enhanced Security

Business Wire | September 27, 2023

Today, Cyolo, provider of the fastest and most secure zero-trust access and connectivity solution for hybrid organizations with IT and OT, in partnership with KuppingerCole, released an industry analysis focused on zero trust and remote access for operational technology (OT) environments. The analysis reveals key insights about the OT cybersecurity threat landscape, outlines high-level security architecture for OT, critical infrastructure systems (CIS) and industrial control systems (ICS), and evaluates key requirements of security regulations and frameworks. OT environments experience the same kinds of threats as enterprise IT – including ransomware, account takeovers, APTs, and Supply Chains as vectors – while experiencing expanded OT-specific threats. While traditional IT security tools may be adapted, developing robust security architectures for OT environments is inherently complex compared to their IT counterparts. Its unique nature, from equipment and software to communication protocols requires dedicated OT security solutions. Cyolo can help organizations with OT infrastructure to define and manage access control to those complex environments, said John Tolbert, Lead Analyst at KuppingerCole. Overall key insights include: OT Threat Landscape. Heightened geopolitical factors have intensified attacks on OT and ICS, posing significant consequences ranging from operational disruptions and service denial to financial repercussions and potential harm to human well-being. Core Cybersecurity Regulations. The risks and consequences of cyber-attacks against critical infrastructure advanced regulations globally mandating secure architectures and technical controls. KRITIS and the follow-on IT Security Act 2.0 are related examples of such regulations, as well as the NIST Cybersecurity Framework. OT Security Architectures and Key Functionalities. There are eight areas of functionality that are central to effective OT security architectures. Cybersecurity architectures for OT must address asset discovery, access control, IT security tool integration, detection and response capabilities, and OT protocol level threats. As the analysis breaks down, within critical infrastructure interruptions and downtime are not an option. To address the increasing need for secure access in OT environments, Cyolo introduced Cyolo 4.3, which expands key capabilities with more layers of security and making the product easier than ever to use for both administrators and end users in the industrial space. With Cyolo 4.3, industrial organizations will be able to extend their multi-factor authentication (MFA) across environments through an integration with Duo Security to support their physical tokens as required. Additionally, the company has implemented another layer of security for file transfer within the OT/ICS environment, through query anti-virus software to scan files before they are delivered to their destination. Cyolo is also adapting for further usability, allowing teams to securely invite external users by generating a secure one-time password; and import groups from existing IdPs, using SCIM. “Ensuring the security of critical infrastructure and industrial processes has become increasingly critical as organizations unite their IT and OT systems. This convergence has expanded the OT threat landscape and introduced significant cybersecurity challenges, as the once-isolated OT networks are now vulnerable to the same threats that have targeted IT networks for years” said Joe O'Donnell, Vice President ICS/OT of Cyolo. “With Cyolo 4.3, industrial entities can confidently navigate the complexities of the modern threat landscape and fortify their defenses against evolving cyber threats.” The announcement of Cyolo 4.3 highlights the company’s commitment to advancing zero-trust capabilities and it comes on the heels of Cyolo being listed as a Representative Vendor in the 2023 Gartner® “Market Guide for Zero Trust Network Access” report for the second consecutive year and recognized by Frost & Sullivan with the 2023 North American New Product Innovation Award for Secure Remote Access to Operational Infrastructure and Industrial Control Systems (OT/ICS). As the threats to critical infrastructure continue to evolve, Cyolo zero-trust access solution continues to provide the utmost protection and ease of use. To learn more about Cyolo 4.3, visit here. Access the report for a full view of the industry here. Register here to attend the joint webinar from Cyolo and KuppingerCole on how to achieve secure remote access for OT environments, to be held on Tuesday, October 10 at 7 a.m. PT. About Cyolo Cyolo helps hybrid organizations in the IT and OT spaces to stay safe, secure and productive in an era of distributed workforces and unprecedented cyberthreats. Cyolo’s next-generation zero-trust access solution enables all users, including employees, third parties as well as remote and on-site workers, to connect to their working environments seamlessly and securely via modern identity-based access. Providing one unified solution that integrates with the existing tech stack and deploys easily in the cloud, on-premises or in a hybrid model, Cyolo empowers the global workforce to securely access anything from anywhere.

Read More

Enterprise Security

Skybox Security Launches New Continuous Exposure Management Platform

Skybox Security | September 14, 2023

Skybox Security, a leading Exposure Management solutions provider, has unveiled the next generation of its prestigious Continuous Exposure Management Platform. This 13.0 release introduces significant enhancements to its solution for Attack Surface and Vulnerability Management, which revolutionizes the manner businesses manage and mitigate cyber exposure risk. Attack Surface Management Delivers Complete Visibility Skybox's Surface Management solution provides an extensive inventory and map of users' assets and applications. It evaluates and simulates attack paths. The result is a dynamic security model for the hybrid attack surface. Version 13.0 introduces significant new features, including: New Attack Surface Map Enhanced Attack Path Analysis LDAP Integration Cloud Infrastructure Integration Vulnerability Management Deepens Exposure Insights Skybox's Vulnerability Management solution combines more than 25 third-party threat intelligence feeds with its own Skybox Threat Intelligence feed in order to prioritize threats based on exposure risk and remediate vulnerabilities with prescriptive guidance. With Version 13.0, businesses are able to: Import Vulnerability Data New Business-Focused' Solutions View' Celebrity Vulnerabilities SOAR Integration Mordecai Rosen, CEO of Skybox Security, said, In today's complex threat landscape, organizations need to continuously manage their threat exposure based on the prioritized risks to their business. [Source – Business Wire] Rosen stated that the Skybox platform now supports every stage of an enterprise's continuous exposure management (CEM) program, from mapping the attack surface through contextualization and risk-based prioritization to final remediation. It was also mentioned that the latest enhancements enable organizations to further improve their security posture and substantially reduce the risk of a successful attack. About Skybox Skybox is trusted by over 500 of the world's largest and most security-conscious enterprises for providing insights and assurance to stay ahead of dynamically changing attack surfaces. Its Exposure Management Platform provides complete analytics, visibility, and automation to quickly prioritize, map, and remediate vulnerabilities across organizations. The vendor-agnostic solution optimizes security policies, actions, and change processes across all cloud environments and corporate networks. With Skybox, security teams can emphasize the most strategic business initiatives while ensuring enterprises remain protected.

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